Targeting Tree, Woodland and Hedgerow Planting for Maximum impact
By focusing on areas of greatest need and opportunity, we can ensure that new planting delivers meaningful and lasting impact. To support this, we are developing an interactive mapping tool that combines environmental, social and economic data to identify the most suitable and high impact locations for tree and woodland planting across the North East Community Forest area.
The tool will simplify complex information, highlight priority areas for landowners, communities and partners to explore planting opportunities. It will also encourage public participation and collaborative planning, helping to ensure that tree and hedgerow planting along with woodland creation delivers maximum value for people, nature, climate and the local economy.
Opportunities for Woodland Creation
Low Sensitivity Land Mapping
The Forestry Commission’s sensitivity mapping helps identify areas with fewer constraints for woodland creation. These low-sensitivity zones offer better opportunities for new planting, based on national datasets.
- Low-sensitivity classification does not guarantee approval, as landowner consent and further site assessment are still required.
- Native woodland may be suitable outside low-sensitivity areas, subject to consultation with stakeholders such as Natural England, Environment Agency, Historic England and Local Authorities.
- Sensitivity maps exclude unsuitable land types, including:
- Urban areas
- Existing and assumed woodland
- Habitats too wet, rocky or saline to support trees
For more information
A guide to Forestry Commission’s sensitivity maps for woodland creation – GOV.UK
Ecosystem Services Opportunity Mapping
We have developed opportunity mapping to identify areas where woodland creation can deliver the greatest ecosystem service benefits. This includes analysis of natural capital assets and constraints.
Mapped benefits include:
- Enhancing woodland biodiversity
- Reducing surface water runoff
- Reducing soil erosion and improve water quality.
- Ameliorate air pollution
- Reducing noise pollution
- Regulating local climate and reducing urban heat
- Increasing access to woodlands
This mapping informs the Natural Capital Payments Scheme, which incentives planting in areas offering multiple benefits.
Further Information:
‘Developing a natural capital payments scheme for woodland creation in the North East Community Forest’ Produced by Natural Capital Solutions (May 2025)
National Landscape Character Profiles and Local Nature Recovery Strategies
We will work with partners to deliver the Local Nature Recovery Strategies, using opportunity mapping to identify priority areas for woodland creation, expansion, improved connectivity and sustainable management to have the greatest impact on nature’s recovery. This approach aligns with Local Nature Recovery Strategies woodland priorities and the Forestry Commission’s sustainable woodland management objectives. These priorities will be integrated into the mapping as they become available.
Careful site selection is vital for new woodland creation. Existing biodiversity must be assessed to avoid harming protected sites, non-wooded open priority habitats, species reliant on open landscapes and peat soils. Poorly planned woodland creation can harm these habitats and species. We will work closely with relevant government agencies to ensure appropriate locations. This commitment is reinforced in our Design and Establishment and Site Design Approach sections, guided by “Right Tree, Right Place, Right Reason, Right Method” principle.
Tree Equity
Tree equity is essential to ensuring that all communities, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to the benefits of trees and green spaces. Many urban areas, particularly those with higher levels of deprivation, have significantly lower tree canopy cover. The Woodland Trust has developed the Tree Equity Score UK tool, which maps disparities in urban tree distribution by identifying areas where people have the greatest need for trees and where investment should be focused.
A key objective of the Forest Plan is to address these disparities through strategic tree planting in underserved neighbourhoods. To support this, we have developed a North East Community Tree Equity Score Model, based on the Woodland’s Trust Tree Equity Score UK tool:
This model:
- Covers 972 urban neighbourhoods, representing 82% of the residential population within the Forest boundary.
- Divides areas into Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs)
- Assigns each LSOA a score from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating a greater need for tree planting.
The 3-30-300 Rule
An increasingly accepted set of guidance, is the 3-30-300 rule for urban tree planning that aims to improve urban green spaces and ensure equitable access to nature. It was proposed by Ceil Konijnendijk, a leading urban forestry expert.
It recommends that:
- 3 trees: Every resident should be able to see at least three trees from their home.
- 30% canopy cover: Every neighbourhood should have a minimum of 30% tree canopy cover.
- 300 meters to a green space: Every resident should be no more than 300 meters (about a 5-minute walk) from a quality green space.
To support this approach, we carried out a Greenspace Value (GSV) assessment for the North East Community Forest area adapting the methodology from The Evaluation of the 3-30-300 Green Space Rule and Mental Health, (M. Nieuwenhuijsen 2022) to reflect local conditions.
Key findings:
- An average of 26% of residential properties have 3 trees visible
- An average of 4% neighbourhood meets the 30% tree cover target
- An average of 72% of residents have access to green space within 300 metres
For further information